Primary school results are continuing to rise

The Department for Education has published the results of this year’s Sats, also known as national curriculum tests.

They show 70 per cent of eligible 11-year-olds in the borough met Government targets in reading, writing and maths - rising from 66 per cent last year.

Across England, 64 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard, compared to 61 per cent in 2017.

Top of the table locally was Our Lady and All Saints RC Primary School in Parbold, where 100 per cent of pupils met the targets.

Nicol Mere Primary School, in Ashton, was the top school in the borough with 98 per cent of pupils achieving the expected standards.

It was also the top-performing school in Wigan last year and was recently named as one of the best in the country in the Sunday Times 2019 Parent Guide.

Close behind was St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School, with 97 per cent, while the other local primary schools in the top 10 all achieved 90 per cent or more.

Shaun Kearon, headteacher at Our Lady and All Saints, said: “We are incredibly proud of each and every child here at Our Lady and All Saints. The children’s wonderful achievements are a result of their enthusiasm, love of learning, determination and hard work as well as the excellent teaching they receive from our talented staff team and superb home support.”

In a statement, the governors at Nicol Mere said: “The governors are very pleased with the latest results, especially as more than half of the children were disadvantaged, which is three times the national average.

“But we know that league tables and Ofsted don’t tell the whole picture. We are equally proud of the outcomes in other subjects and the life at school.

“However, we are mostly proud of the wonderful children and the values they demonstrate every day. They are truly a pleasure to have in school.

“Special thanks must go to all the staff who go far above and beyond and for the vast majority of parents who are supportive and show common sense.”

While the number of schools considered to be under-performing has decreased, 364 mainstream primaries in England fell below the floor standard.

The number of “coasting” schools - a measure which looks at results over the past three years - has risen to 640, up from 524 last year and 477 in 2016.